My boys reading with Charlie
I love dogs. Charlie, our gentle, giant of a doodle, is an integral part of our family, participating in most aspects of family life. Reading time is no exception, and while my kids have yet to actually read to him, his company by their feet is always comforting.
Everytime I read a story about therapy dogs helping kids read in library and school programs, it warms my heart. I couldn’t imagine a better use for these animals. So when I read about the public library in Burlingame, California, cancelling their Reading to Dogs program because one of the participating dogs was a Pit Bull, it broke my heart.
Jonny Justice was rescued from Michael Vick, and was not only rehabilitated but became a certified therapy dog. He was ready to help kids who were struggling with their reading. But the librarian did not want Pit Bulls in her library, so she cancelled the program.
How sad for the community! Reading aloud to dogs has been shown to improve children’s reading skills by 12 percent, in addition to improving self-confidence and overall engagement in school. A furry friend will certainly never snicker at a mispronounced word, and will listen in a non-judgmental way, often with a wagging tail. What a confidence booster!
There is no reason to discriminate against any breed. Jonny Justice would have sat by those children’s feet just as happily and gently as any other dog. After suffering so long at the hands of Michael Vick, only to be discrimated against by people who should know better, only punishes the innocent.
A petition is being circulated, so hopefully this librarian will soon see the error of her ways and put this program back in place!
There is an article this week on the humane society website about dogs that were literally pulled from dumpsters that are now used to help children or other people in needs. They talk about one dog in particular that is used in a reading program and how wonderful it is for the kids. What a shame that the children of Burlingame will miss out because some simple minded, ignorant individuals can’t see beyond the breed. It also just propagates the irrational fear that pittbulls are dangerous and can’t be trusted. Shame on them.
Thanks for your comments! Any dog can be dangerous if it is mistreated, poorly handled, untrained. The animals they use in these programs have been certified and trained to help people (kids!) in need. Some of the sweetest dogs I’ve met have been pit bulls. And years ago, I dogsat a chihuahua I would *never* let near my kids. Small but vicious! It is a shame that this fear is being propagated by people who should know better.